Alkaloids as Potential Phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2: Approaches to the Associated Pivotal Mechanisms.

Mohammad Bagher Majnooni,Sajad Fakhri,Mohammad Hosein Farzaei,Gholamreza Bahrami,Maryam Naseri,Javier Echeverría,Shih-Chao Lin

doi:10.1155/2021/6632623

Abstract

Since its inception, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has infected millions of people around the world. Therefore, it is necessary to find effective treatments against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), as it is the viral source of COVID-19. Alkaloids are one of the most widespread plant-derived natural compounds with prominent antiviral effects. Accordingly, these phytochemicals have been promising candidates towards discovering effective treatments for COVID-19. Alkaloids have shown potential anti-SARS-CoV activities via inhibiting pathogenesis-associated targets of the Coronaviridae family that are required for the virus life cycle. In the current study, the chemistry, plant sources, and antiviral effects of alkaloids, as well as their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effect with related mechanisms, are reviewed towards discovering an effective treatment against COVID-19.

Highlights

Since the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), extensive efforts have been made to find an effective drug/ vaccine against the causative virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1]
Several studies have shown the prominent effects of alkaloids on various types of viruses such as influenza viruses, herpes simplex virus, human immunodeficiency virus, and hepatitis C virus [8, 9]
Previous in vitro and in silico studies have indicated the prominent effects of alkaloids against coronaviruses, especially SARS-CoV-2. e virus employs different mechanisms such as inhibition of the main protease (Mpro) and RNAdependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), as well as interaction with coronavirus-associated structural proteins [10, 11]. is study aims to review the antiviral effects of alkaloids, especially against SARS-CoV-2, as well as their mechanisms regarding discovering effective compounds for the treatment of COVID-19

Summary

Introduction

Since the onset of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), extensive efforts have been made to find an effective drug/ vaccine against the causative virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) [1]. Considering the potential of medicinal plants and related isolated phytochemicals in targeting various diseases, including viral diseases, they could be helpful candidates in the treatment of COVID-19 [2,3,4]. Several studies are investigating the effectiveness of medicinal plants and their phytochemicals against SARS-CoV [5]. By containing one or more nitrogen atom(s) in their structure, alkaloids are one of the most widespread phytochemicals in plant families such as Amaryllidaceae, Apocynaceae, Papaveraceae, Asteraceae, and Solanaceae possessing potential biological activities and pharmacological effects [6, 7]. Is study aims to review the antiviral effects of alkaloids, especially against SARS-CoV-2, as well as their mechanisms regarding discovering effective compounds for the treatment of COVID-19 Previous in vitro and in silico studies have indicated the prominent effects of alkaloids against coronaviruses, especially SARS-CoV-2. e virus employs different mechanisms such as inhibition of the main protease (Mpro) and RNAdependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), as well as interaction with coronavirus-associated structural proteins [10, 11]. is study aims to review the antiviral effects of alkaloids, especially against SARS-CoV-2, as well as their mechanisms regarding discovering effective compounds for the treatment of COVID-19

Chemistry and Natural Sources of Alkaloids

Antiviral Activities of Alkaloids

Alkaloids as Potential Phytochemicals against SARS-CoV-2

Findings

16 Alkaloid Sophaline D Sophoridine Speciophylline Tabersonine